Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Beautiful design and colour scheme
- Reliable efficiency
- 1080p webcam
Cons
- Weak audio
- Average battery life for a Chromebook
Our Verdict
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 gives dependable efficiency, a 1080p webcam, and a surprising design at an inexpensive worth level. What extra might you ask for?
Price When Reviewed
$399.99
Best Prices Today: Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
Back within the day, Chromebooks have been nothing greater than low-powered machines that ran an online browser as your working system, an extension of Google Chrome if you’ll. They have been sturdy and largely virus-free, making them a well-liked alternative within the instructional market. Nowadays, they’re able to cloud gaming, which I by no means thought I’d see. Well, Google gave us whiplash as soon as once more with the brand new Chromebook Plus line of laptops. These gadgets promise higher efficiency, 1080p webcams, AI-powered apps, and extra. That’s the place the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is available in. It’s an actual recreation changer so far as cloud-based machines go.
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 places so much on the desk. The {hardware} is extra highly effective than your typical normal fare, the display screen is vivid, and the colour scheme is to die for.
It has all of the markers of an costly machine with out truly being one. In truth, it has a beginning worth of $399.99, making it extra accessible to folks with various budgets. Not everyone (hello) can shell out a thousand {dollars} for an on a regular basis laptop computer that each performs nicely and appears good. Read on to be taught extra.
Looking for extra choices? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops accessible proper now.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Specifications
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is offered in a lot of totally different configurations. Our evaluate unit comes outfitted with an Intel Core i3-1215U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD storage. It’s a modest quantity of energy, however nice for a Chromebook, and it’s designed with on a regular basis duties in thoughts.
- CPU: Intel Core i3-1215U
- Memory: 8GB RAM
- Display: 14-inch 1920×1080, nontouch
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Webcam: 1080p
- Connectivity: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x 3.5 mm audio combo jack
- Battery capability: 50 Wh
- Dimensions: 32.64 x 21.44 x 1.87 cm
- Weight: 3.17 lbs
- Price: $399.99
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: AI capabilities
Generally talking, I’m semi-resistant to utilizing AI, as I’m troubled by the moral issues with AI-generated art work. That mentioned, the one AI function I wished to attempt for the sake of this evaluate just isn’t accessible but and that’s the AI wallpaper generator. Already accessible on Google’s Pixel 8 gadgets, all it’s important to do is choose a class after which sort no matter you need into the textual content fields to get the precise outcome you’re on the lookout for. It’s undoubtedly fascinating, however I wasn’t in a position to take a look at drive it for this evaluate.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Design, construct high quality
IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo
When I eliminated the Asus Chromebook Plus CX43 from its snow-white field, I discovered myself repeatedly working my arms over the shiny lid, oohing and aahing on the silky smoothness of it. It undoubtedly feels costlier than it truly is. The 180 diploma hinge that connects the show to the keyboard feels tight and safe, even when adjusting it a click on or two. No floppy shows right here! The keyboard deck is stable as nicely. I pressed down exhausting on the deck with each arms and observed zero creaking, which is at all times an indication of a well-made machine.
Let’s discuss in regards to the pearl white colour scheme for a second, which I completely adore. It’s undoubtedly stylish and minimalist, but it surely’s not so over-the-top that it’ll draw a lot consideration. In truth, I’d say it’s the proper search for an workplace setting, because it’s actually subtle. The darkish gray keys additionally properly steadiness the white chassis.
The vent placement provides an fascinating contact to the general design, too. Unless you flip the laptop computer upside-down, you’ll in all probability miss it, however there are three vents of various lengths on the underside of the machine. It’s cool and classy, however doubtless sensible too.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Display, webcam, audio
IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo
The very first thing I observed in regards to the Plus CX34’s 1080p show is the brightness degree. Normally, I wish to bump the brightness up on laptops as a result of I’m a goblin in a human swimsuit and I wish to function in darker environments. However, the show on this specific machine may be very vivid, even when it’s at 50 %. It undoubtedly appears brighter than Asus’ reported 250 nits. It’s not superb for outside use, however that’s not likely a deal-breaker for me. As for colours, they’re surprisingly wealthy! When I watched the ultimate episode of Ahsoka, the crimson cloaks the nightsisters have been carrying have been each deep and luscious.
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 comes with a 1080p webcam, which excites me to no finish. All of the brand new Chromebook Plus laptops have 1080p webcams. I’m so over 720p webcams, as they’re simply not sharp sufficient for distant or hybrid employees. As for picture and video high quality, it’s comparatively colour correct and I didn’t seem washed out or overexposed. I do business from home frequently, so having a webcam that may seize clear video is vital, particularly when I’ve to hop on a piece name.
The audio, nonetheless, left me wanting extra. The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 has downward firing audio system, which implies the sound goes into both the desk or your lap (relying on the place you’re utilizing the machine). It’s high quality should you’re watching YouTube or a present on Netflix, however for listening to music, through which there’s numerous highs and mids, it’s simply okay. I might hear most issues when the quantity was turned as much as 50 %.
That mentioned, I’m not too choosy relating to laptop computer audio. If I can hear the present I’m watching with out having to show the quantity up all the way in which, I’m good. The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is ample on this regard.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Connectivity
IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 options two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, one HDMI 1.4, and one 3.5 mm audio combo jack. That’s a wide selection proper there, particularly should you’re seeking to hook as much as an exterior mouse and show. You in all probability gained’t have to tote round an adapter, both. It has sufficient connectivity choices for most individuals.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Keyboard, trackpad
IDG / Ashley Biancuzzo
All I’ve to say in regards to the typing expertise is… wow! I’ve by no means acclimated to a brand new keyboard so quick, which is admittedly saying one thing. I’m a blazing quick typist. That’s not a flex, as I are likely to make a lot of typing errors, particularly once I’m excitedly blabbering away with coworkers on Slack or with my husband on Discord. I don’t alter to new keyboards nicely, however that’s not the case with the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34. The keys really feel good and springy beneath my fingertips. There’s 1.4 mm of key journey and anti-ghosting, which implies you may press a number of keys without delay and so they’ll all register. Honestly, the keyboard felt like residence to my fingers.
The touchpad is straightforward to make use of as nicely. It measures a roomy 5.7-inches and is centered in the course of the keyboard deck, which I choose over the asymmetrical selection. There’s nothing extra aggravating to me than an off-center touchpad (I’m taking a look at you, gaming laptops!). I didn’t discover many misfires, as my palms didn’t appear to float over to the corners of the touchpad all that a lot. This is an issue I repeatedly have with these pesky off-center touchpads. The floor on the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34’s touchpad feels clean as glass and it registers each multi-touch swipes and clicks simply high quality.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Performance
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 gives dependable efficiency, particularly should you’re utilizing it for day-to-day duties like checking e-mail and watching Netflix. In actual world use, I discovered it to be total very snappy. Whenever I booted up the machine or jumped from tab to tab in Google Chrome, it solely took a number of seconds (if that). That’s doubtless as a result of Intel Core i3-1215U processor, which has six cores and eight threads in addition to a most turbo frequency of 4.40 GHz. An Intel Core i5 or larger shall be even sooner, but it surely’s nonetheless quick and higher than the lower-end processors present in normal Chromebooks.
Here’s how the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 fared within the 5 browser-based benchmarks.
- CrXPRT 2: 181
- Speedometer: 114
- Basemark Web 3.0: 1111.74
- Kraken: 466.5ms
- Jetstream 2: 250.141
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 smoked the comparable Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip, which has an AMD Ryzen 3 7320C CPU. In the Speedometer benchmark, which measures the responsiveness of internet functions, the Plus CX34 earned a rating of 114, beating out the CM34 Flip’s rating of 73.3. The Plus CX34 additionally earned a better efficiency rating of 181 in CrXPRT 2, which measures how nicely the Chromebook handles on a regular basis duties like watching films or doing homework. Overall, it’s speedier and extra responsive than the CM34 Flip.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Battery life
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 lasted simply over 12 hours through the web-based battery benchmark, a modest outcome. While it’s not as record-breaking because the Acer Chromebook CM34 Flip’s 19 hours of battery life, it’s nonetheless fairly good, particularly should you journey typically or (should you’re a pupil) wish to take your laptop computer to class with you. You don’t have to fret in regards to the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 dropping juice anytime quickly,. You might in all probability squeeze extra hours out of it should you flip down the brightness.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Should you purchase it?
Definitely!
What it boils all the way down to is that this: The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is a strong, moderately priced on a regular basis laptop computer. The pearl white minimalist chassis is gorgeous and complicated, and the 1080p show is beautiful to binge watch your favourite reveals on. The keyboard is effortlessly simple to get used to and the 1080p webcam will make you look good on work calls. Plus, battery life is simply over 12 hours and efficiency is each zippy and dependable. While the audio might undoubtedly be higher, a criticism I’ve of most laptops, it wouldn’t dissuade me personally from shopping for this laptop computer.
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is an thrilling debut for the brand new Chromebook Plus idea — and it reveals that even with all these additional bells and whistles, a really good Chromebook nonetheless doesn’t want to interrupt the financial institution.